This letter is from Wong Fook’s employer. Wong Fook lost his original certificate of residence about 1901 or 2. He reapplied about three years later and received a duplicate certificate. That certificate was destroyed in a fire on 12th April 1909.

In the above letter Mr. Seufert states “…and Seid Beck can tell more about them then I can, he suplys [sic] the help here.”

Seid Beck (sometimes spelled Back) was a merchant and labor broker in Portland.

Photographs for Rev. Kai Chong Yeung and family. Rev. K. C. Yeung was the minister at The First Chinese Presbyterian Church, 225 East 31st Street, New York, New York. He applied to have his wife, Lee Chan Wah, and their four children join him in New York. Their eldest daughter, Margaret Mo-Hing stayed in China.

The 1924 United States immigration act specifically exempted from quota restriction professors and ministers of any religion as well as their wives and minor children.[1]

Section 4(d) An immigrant who continuously for at least two years immediately preceding the time of his application for admission to the United States has been, and who seeks to enter the United States solely for the purpose of, carrying on the vocation of minister of any religious denomination, or professor of a college, academy, seminary, or university; and his wife, and his unmarried children under 18 years of age, if accompanying or following to join him…[2]

Ng Mee Seu Bow, a 17-year-old student, arrived in Seattle with her mother, Wong Shee, on 6 October 1939 on the SS Princess Charlotte. They were on their way to New York City. While searching Ng Mee Seu Bow’s belongings, the matron at the immigration station found this booklet and a crumpled note written in Chinese in a wicker basket. Several packets of medicine were also in the basket. An interpreter was called to review the items. There is no comment in the file about their findings. Ng Mee Seu Bow was admitted with no further delay as a native. Her file mentions her birth certificate and certificate of identity, #79995.